Why should doctors “Say No” to drug reps?
Your doctor’s job is to make sure that you are prescribed the most cost-effective drug. A drug rep’s job is to sell his or her product, whether or not this product is in fact the most cost-effective. Not surprisingly, information provided by reps is likely to biased in favor of their product. Furthermore, reps often provide gifts—food, pens, pads, and more food—in hopes of influencing what your doctor prescribes. Again, not surprisingly, research (as well as common sense) suggests that this works: Doctors who meet with reps and accept gifts from drug companies are more likely to prescribe their drugs – and this may mean a more expensive and possibly even inappropriate drug. There are plenty of sources of information available to doctors—non-promotional, unbiased, independent sources of information, so there is no longer any need for doctors to rely on sales people for this information. Unfortunately, these sources don’t come with free lunch! Samples Many doctors provide samples to pati
